Exploring Modern Self-Defence: A Deep Dive Into Knife Defence Programs
Discussions about the best form of self-defence, particularly concerning knife attacks, are frequently contentious. Diverse martial arts techniques vie for prominence, from Filipino martial arts to grappling, Krav Maga to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A bedrock assertion in this argument is that some form of self-defence knowledge is vastly superior to none. This bit of wisdom holds especially true when it comes to defending oneself against a knife attack, where stakes are high, and quick, effective responses are crucial. An inquisitive martial artist and law enforcement officer known as Icy Mike from the YouTube channel Hard2Hurt, keen to address these contentions, undertook a journey to understand, compare and judge the effectiveness of varied knife-defence programs. Leaving no stone unturned, Mike traveled far and wide, training with renowned instructors to dispel the fog of uncertainty around knife defence. That journey took the martial artist to the heart of three distinguished programs: Edged Weapons Overview (EWO), Knife Control Concepts (KCC), and Edge of Reality (EOR). Each program providing unique insights into tackling this complex and dangerous form of combat. First, Mike participated in EWO, a course designed by Craig Douglas. A key learning from EWO is the foundation of wrestling for control, focusing keenly on controlling an attacker’s limb, an addition to honing soft skills like body positioning and verbal negotiation. The course trains one almost like a Greco-Roman wrestler, highlighting the importance of head position and posture. What it lacks in ground fighting techniques, it makes up for in teaching how to deploy and use a knife in self-defence. Next up was KCC, led by Aaron Genetti, Eli Knight, and Mike Chaney. Touted as the most physically demanding and grappling intensive of the three, the core principle revolves around the mastery of controlling the opponent’s weapon-bearing limb. This course pushes its students to their limits, providing opportunities to test real-life, high-stress scenarios to forge effective defence mechanisms. Finally, Edge of Reality, spearheaded by Ryan Hoover and Amber Stoklinsky, provided an intriguing balance of grappling and striking. The program thrived on creative freedom and offered brutal finishing techniques that ranged from the informative to the outright vicious. After all his experience, Mike concluded that each course was invaluable in its own unique ways. EWO provides solid fundamentals for beginner; KCC is ideal for more advanced learners, interested in grit, rigour, and grappling; and EOR offers intensive striking with a side of creativity for advanced learners looking to diversify their skill sets. But, an important takeaway Mike emphasises is that merely possessing a knife doesn’t make one an adept fighter. Rather, the true test lies in how well a martial artist can retain control, stay focused, and seamlessly execute their training under immense pressure and threat. Mike’s quest ultimately led him to compete in the Ultimate Self-Defence Championships in Australia. There, he learned that while it’s impossible to escape such encounters unscathed, focussing on the attacker as opposed to the knife led to better results. At times, the journey of self-discovery and mastery is fraught with personal confrontations, gruelling hard work, and brutal honesty. But as martial artists like Icy Mike continue to raise the bar of self-defence knowledge, we inch ever-closer to the ultimate goal of public safety and self-reassurance.Blablabla
The YouTube channel Hard2Hurt, managed by Icy Mike, focuses on self-defense, fighting, and fitness. Icy Mike, a former police officer and coach, shares valuable insights on combat and agility, drawing from his professional and personal experiences. He appeals to a wide audience with his practical, relatable, and often humorous content.
Self-Defence Block
Go to https://athleticgreens.com/hard2hurt to get started on your first purchase and receive a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 and 5 travel packs.
Would like to have seen Michael Janich and MDV techniques
I did it a few 100 times, but a rubber knife is different than a real one. I wouldn’t even try, if could get away somehow, even when i have to jump down 6m through a window.
And then I watched the self defence champs shank tank drop……….that was an eye opener.
two best thing i learnt in deal with knives is 1)it not the knife that kills you it the person with the knife and the best way to survive an account it try and take out the guy with the blade and the second one 2) better to do what they want unless they give you reason to believe they will stab you any way or you can't live with what they want you to do.
Does Mike DonVito do a class? I know you’ve featured him before, but didn’t know if he has a course
How to fight someone with a knife:
Step 0: Bring a gun.
Step 1: If you don't have a gun, Run away. Fight only if you are with your back against a wall.
Step 2: Find something large and heavy you can use to beat the shit out of the other guy. Preferably a chair XD
Depending on the skills of the opponent when you try to grabbing the hand with the knife in that way like showing here and that would be already mission Impossible . in real case the opponent might slice your veins within split of an eye and after that he will do what he can to finish you once and for all . He can Going for the throath and that means game over . Striking in the throat multiple times is the final because way this will stop every bat guy . Everything else might working in some cases but rather it will not working in real life . One thing is sure using only grabbing techniques in this life threatening situation would be equal to suicide but i understand that as a Police officer you can not going too far so it is very difficult to chose the right technique . Stay safe 🙏
I've watched the knife fight scene between Steven Seagal and Tommy Lee Jones in Under Siege a 100x; I'm good.
Australia let you take AG1 through customs?
The ‘closed room’ rounds during the competition were flawed. They were all padded up and didn’t simulate attacker getting knocked out or stunned. They kept coming after taking blows to the head and being slammed into walls.
Then they wanted to say, ‘zero points, he was still able to stab you multiple times.’
Well YEaH! Because the rules set neutralized all your counterattacks!!
Big bone of contention IMHO.
Did you have a chance to train with Tom Sotis by any chance? He is the Albert Einstein of knife work and the scars from actual encounters to prove it.
Thanks for sharing Sir! Would be amazing to train as you do, expanding your knowledge and experience always 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💪
To bad you didnt go try itay gils knife defense now that would have been super interesting he has a really good system for this. Thank you
When I was about 15 we had this kid in my town that huffed gas and did crazy shit. One day he was at a park high as shit threatening people with one of those lock blade buck knives and I said I was going to find a phone and call the police (it was the mid 90's so no cell phones) and he heard me and charged at me with the knife. He held the knife in front of his right pectoral and came at me screaming trying to stick it in my chest. I didn't know much about wrestling but I did study boxing so I decided to ignore the knife and I stepped in and landed a right hand straight on his chin. His head snapped back and his knees went to jelly and took a spread eagle nap on his back. I did have a small cut on the back of my left wrist but I wouldn't have known about it if it hadn't been pointed out to me. Like Spicy Mike said at the end, he did better when he focused on stopping the attacker instead of chasing the knife. I never cared much for wrestling and ever since that day at the park I think the best way to deal with most weapons is a bit of footwork and nice tight right cross.
The idea that a person can't fight because they don't think you should grapple with a knifer is not true, they just understand how quickly you can be stabbed to death. Ever heard of the wrestler Bruiser Brody? He was stabbed to death backstage by another wrestler. What about UFC fighter Maiquel Falcao? He also was stabbed to death. Could these guys fight? Absolutely, they could fight better than most, but a knife attack is no joke, and one stab can kill you. There are knife fighters who even rub their arms in oil to make it difficult for someone to grab them.
The first option against someone with a knife is always to run away, the second option is to use your weapon (or grab anything in the environment and use that as a weapon), and if that doesn't succeed only then do you grapple. It is the last resort, always.
0:01 I'ma stop you right there Mike. Usain Bolt's running academy is the best program.
Any thoughts on the Amok system
I actually did kick a knife out of someone hand coming up behind another guy. I also got a cut on my shin 😂. I mean it did work
No I would try defuse the situation or try block myself from the knife try run or walk away if I could call the police on my phone or pick something up and defend myself with .I do not know how to us a knife 😢if I had I un barrel would pride them in the face with it try push them over .that would be a life or death situation
That's pretty cool those little packets and stuff what do they taste like though it looks like spinach green I'm just curious
I knew a guy who got stabbed just sitting outside a resource centre for telling this guy picking on this chick verbally to chill, he was wearing 4 jackets cuz it gets to -40 here and it legitimately saved his life, also at this same place out front another one of my buddies got a knife pulled on him and he un-ironically kicked the knife out of the guys hand, it was on camera and the staff of the building said it was nuts to watch. Definitely not something I’d ever do 😂
The only time you know you can do this is experiencing it yourself through real violence. It depends on the environment , how fast or slow your opponent is . I have been attacked by someone with a knife in the streets , you don't have time to think only on how to survive . yes i did get cut and yes it hurts like hell the day after . I'm from south africa where real violence is an everday thing.
solution.
You wear chainmail xDD